The researchers found that higher SRF correlated with lower QoL in terms of lower overall physical QoL (subscales relating to physical functioning, role limitations-physical, bodily pain, and general health) and lower overall mental QoL (subscales related to vitality, social functioning, role limitations-emotional, and mental health) (all P > .001). The link between SRF and QoL was attenuated somewhat by including traditional predictors such as anxiety, depression, physical fatigue, and FMS-related symptoms; however, the correlations generally remained strong, especially for SRF and mental QoL.

"Results suggest that SRF is distinct from anxiety, depression, and fatigue, and predicts QoL above and beyond these traditional factors in the area of chronic multisymptom illnesses such as FMS," the authors wrote.